SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — During the annual convention of NY’s largest union of registered nurses and caregivers happening in Saratoga Springs, nurses spoke out in response to a recent incident involving Interim Healthcare and a discriminatory classified advertisement in the local Rockland County Pennysaver.

Judy Sheridan-Gonzalez, president of NYSNA and Marva Wade, 1st vice-president of NYSNA released the following statement:

“We are disgusted and alarmed at the blatantly racist and sexist advertisement that Interim Healthcare approved for publication in the local Rockland County Pennysaver publication, asking that no Haitian nurses be allowed to apply for an agency home healthcare job.

“As frontline nurse leaders, we are dedicated to advancing the health and wellness of all New Yorkers. We believe there is no place for racism and bigotry in our great state. We are pleased that Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is investigating this matter, and we call on New Yorkers to join us on Wednesday, October 21 outside of the Rockland office of the Tri-State Media Pennysaver as NYSNA members from all across the state participate in a targeted action against the NY Pennsysaver for printing such a bigoted advertisement.”

NYSNA members will participate in a “Road Trip Against Racism” candlelight vigil taking place outside of the Rockland office of the Tri-State Media Pennysaver, located at 233 West Route 59, Nanuet, NY starting at 7pm on Wednesday, October 21.

The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) are the largest nurses’ union in New York State representing over 37,000 registered nurses and other health care professionals. To learn more about NYSNA, please visit our website at www.nysna.org